Warhammer 40,000
| File:40k 4th ed rulebook.jpg Cover of the 4th edition Warhammer 40,000 rulebook | |
| Designers | Rick Priestley and others |
|---|---|
| Publishers | Games Workshop |
| Years active | 1987 to present |
| Players | 2+ |
| Setup time | 5 - 30 minutes |
| Playing time | No exact time |
| Chance | Dice rolling |
| Age range | 12+ |
| Skills | Strategy, Arithmetic |
| Website | http://www.games-workshop.com/ |
Warhammer 40,000 (informally known as Warhammer 40K, WH40K, W40K or just 40K) is a science fantasy game produced by Games Workshop. The game depicts combat between the armies of the fictional universe of the 41st millennium using 28 mm scale (approximately 1:65) miniature figurines which represent futuristic soldiers, creatures and vehicles of war. Lines of these miniatures are produced by Games Workshop[1] and Forge World[2], and are available at their brick-and-mortar and online stores[3][4]. There are currently eleven rival factions to choose from. The ethos is well summed up by the game's subtitle slogan:
"In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war."
Warhammer 40,000 is the science fiction companion to Warhammer Fantasy Battle, and shares many of the same game mechanics. The Warhammer 40,000 setting is also used for several other games such as Epic.
History
The first edition of the game, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, was published in 1987. Game designer Rick Priestley created the original rules set (based on the contemporary 2nd Edition Warhammer Fantasy Battle) alongside the Warhammer 40,000 gameworld. This original version came as a very detailed, though rather jumbled, rulebook, which made it most suitable for fighting small skirmishes. Much of the composition of units was determined randomly, by rolling dice. In addition, supplemental material was continually published in White Dwarf magazine, which provided rules for new units and models. Eventually, White Dwarf provided proper "army lists," which could be used to create larger and more coherent forces than were possible in the main rulebook.
A few elements of the setting (bolters, lasguns, frag grenades, Terminator armour) can be seen in a set of earlier wargaming rules called Laserburn (produced by Tabletop Games) written by Bryan Ansell. These rules were later expanded upon by both Ansell and Richard Halliwell (both of whom ended up working for Games Workshop). The prototype game mechanics for Necromunda were also influenced by these men.
One major expansion for Rogue Trader was the book Chapter Approved which gave army lists for the Space Marines and Eldar among others. Another major expansion was the two-volume Realm of Chaos (1988 and 1990) book which introduced the Horus Heresy and the Chaotic powers. It was at this time that the Imperial Guard were introduced (although they were then called the Imperial Army).
The second edition of "Warhammer 40,000" was published in late 1993. This and later developments of the game were developed under the direction of editor Andy Chambers. This edition came in a boxed set including Space Marine [1] and Ork miniatures, scenery, dice, and the main rules. An expansion box set titled Dark Millennium was later released, which included rules for psychic powers. Although second edition Warhammer 40,000 was very similar in many aspects, it was designed to be both more structured than Rogue Trader, and to allow larger battles than rules from the first edition allowed. Second edition also introduced the concept of the "army codex"; a separate book that contained the rule information for a single army.
The third edition of the game was released in 1998, and again concentrated on streamlining the rules for larger battles. Third edition rules were notably simpler, and less prone to use arbitrary or overly powerful abilities than the previous editions. The rulebook was available alone, or as a boxset with miniatures of Space Marines and the newly-introduced Dark Eldar. The system of army codexes continued in third edition.[5] In addition to army codexes, a supplemental rulebook titled "Cityfight" introduced special rules for fighting in urban conditions.
Towards the end of the 3rd edition, three new armies were introduced, the Tau race, and two armies of the Inquisition: the Daemonhunters of the Ordo Malleus, and the Witchhunters of the Ordo Hereticus; elements of these armies had appeared before in supplementary material (such as Realm of Chaos). At the end of the third edition, these Inquisition armies were re-released with all new artwork and army lists. These new and remade armies had codexes that were far more in-depth and detailed than previous editions in regards to the background of each army within the game's universe - which would later be utilized by the codexes in 4th edition. Because of how in depth the new codexes were, these books are sometimes referred to as "Edition 3.5".
During this time, Games Workshop also held several world-wide events, telling the stories of important wars fought in the game's universe. Players were encouraged to sign up for these events, where they could send in the results of their battles, with the overall results of all players having an influence on the outcome of the war.
Current edition
The fourth edition of Warhammer 40,000 was released in 2004. This edition did not feature as many major changes as prior editions, and was "backwards compatible" with each army's third edition codex. The fourth edition was released in three forms: the first was a standalone hardcover version, with additional information on painting, scenery building, and background information about the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The second was a boxed set, called Battle For Macragge, which included a compact softcover version of the rules, scenery, and Space Marines and Tyranid miniatures. The third was a limited collector's edition version of the hardcover book and was leather-bound, its front cover embossed in silver with the Warhammer 40,000 fourth edition logo. Each page was edged with silver foil, and the book was packaged in a protective black leather slipcover.
There are many variations to the rules and army lists that are available for use, typically with an opponent's consent. These rules are found in the Games Workshop publication White Dwarf, the Games Workshop website, or the Forge World publication Imperial Armour.
As of September 2007, the Space Marines, Tyranids, Black Templars, Tau Empire, Eldar, Dark Angels and the Chaos Space Marines codexes have been published for 4th edition Warhammer 40,000. The expansion Cities of Death was published in the June 2006, which introduced additional rules for fighting in highly urbanized areas.
The Black Templar and Dark Angel codexes are stand alone codexes, unlike their third edition counterparts, which were additions to the Space Marine codex. This is supposedly the trend of fourth edition codexes where there will be no 'sub-codexes' being released, though according to Jervis Johnson (one of Games Workshop's long-term strategy managers), whether Codex Chaos will follow this path for its Legions has yet to be decided. The Blood Angels codex has been published in White Dwarf in two parts, in UK issues 330 and 331 (although long-term a printed codex is planned).
The latest major expansion for Warhammer 40,000 is Warhammer 40,000: Apocalypse, which was released on 13th October 2007 and includes new rules for much larger battles than previously, with a minimum of 3000 points of troops needed. Apocalypse also includes rules for large units, such as Squiggoths and Baneblades, as well as battle formations such as daemonic Warp Rifts and Space Marine Battle Companies.
The tabletop game
Overview
Each player assembles an army of metal and plastic miniature figurines (models) - each usually representing a single military figure from one of the official lists. These armies are constrained by rules contained within the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook, as well as in several army-specific codexes. The size and power of the army is determined on a points system, with each unit being assigned a number of points proportional to its worth on the battlefield. Before a game the players agree on how many points will be used as the maximum army size and each assemble an army up to that maximum limit.
Common game sizes are between 400 and 2,500 points and played on tables 4' in width and 4' to 8' in length, but it is possible to play much larger games given time and inclination (Larger point battles tend to include multiple players, as well as being played on larger tables). Games generally run from half an hour to several hours depending on the size of the armies.
Play is divided into turns, with each player moving, firing and engaging in close combat with each squad. Six-sided dice and unit stats are used to determine the results of actions. Each battle, at the onset, is assigned a set of additional rules and a goal (collectively called a "scenario") specific to it. Standard goals range from taking and holding objectives to simply eliminating the opposition, with additional rules including night-fighting and reinforcements. More complex scenarios exist in both the main rulebook. Victory is determined either simply by mission objectives or a victory points, with points awarded for objectives and eliminated or damaged enemy units.
Some players organize a series of scenarios, called a campaign, where two or more players fight against each other in a number of battles. These campaigns may feature their own special rules, and are typically tied together by a storyline, which might alter according to the results of each scenario when it is played. Every few years, a global campaign is held in which people submit the results of their games to Games Workshop. These results are collated, and together affect the storyline of the game, which is then accounted for in the next rulebook and fiction releases. The most recent of these global campaigns was The Fall of Medusa V campaign which ended in a typically Pyrrhic Imperial victory. Previous global campaigns are The Eye of Terror and the third battle for Armageddon.
Collecting
In addition to writing rulebooks for the game, Games Workshop also owns Citadel Miniatures and Forge World, two companies which manufacture the miniatures used to play Warhammer 40,000. In addition to the current line of units, Games Workshop makes available past model lines as a part of their mail-order-only "Classic" series. These are models that have been used for earlier versions of the game. This is one of many ways to get certain miniatures which have been discontinued.
As of June 2006, new players wishing to start playing should expect to spend at least £200, but may need to spend much more, for a basic playable army with ample room for customization (1,000 points). This figure includes costs for the rulebook, the army's codex, and modeling equipment such as paints and glue[6]. Players must also purchase individual units in squads or in boxed sets. The cost of boxed sets varies widely (£5 to £100), depending on the contents. However, the boxed set may not provide for all available options, meaning that players may choose to purchase additional blister packs, each containing one to three models. Blister packs vary widely from £4 for essentially a metallic version of a single plastic model, to £14 for large (2-3 inches tall ) multi part models.
Modelling
Since the models are hand-painted and assembled by the player, people are encouraged to design their own paint schemes as well as using the pre-designed ones displayed in the various books. They are also encouraged to experiment with miniature conversion using parts from other kits and models, scratch-built components, and modeling putty such as Milliput or Citadel's own "green stuff". These conversions are often entered into contests at sponsored tournaments and similar gaming events, including the Golden Demon Awards; a very well known international Games Workshop-run event which judges entries every year on conversion, painting, basing and atmosphere.
Terrain
Terrain is a very important part of play. Although Games Workshop has terrain kits available, many hobbyists prefer to make their own elaborate and unique set pieces. Common household items like soft drink cans, coffee cups, styrofoam packing pieces, and pill bottles can be transformed into ruined cathedrals, alien habitats, or terrain with the addition of plasticard, putty, and a bit of patience and skill. The Games Workshop sub-division Forge World also makes numerous detailed resin terrain sets.
Background
Setting
The Warhammer 40,000 game world is most readily characterized as a gothic science-fantasy universe, set approximately 38,992 years from now (as the year 40,999 is nominally taken as the 'present' time), in the 41st millennium. Most of the major storylines that provide the backdrop and history span over millennia at a time (ie, a 5,000 year-long civil war, a 10,000 year-long crusade). Technology (mostly artifacts from previous millennia which are no longer producable) enables select humans to continue living well beyond centuries long, some for thousands of years, although the cost of this extended life typically involves some kind of assimilation with a machine, and thereby loss of much of "the human".
The central and most popular elements of the Warhammer 40,000 universe are the Space Marines, anachronistic combinations of genetically enhanced super-soldiers with world-destroying firepower, and crusading knights with an unswerving, fanatical loyalty to the God-Emperor. Their genetic modification enables these soldiers to live "naturally" and maintain their super-human physical prowess for hundreds of years, creating veterans and commanders of immense experience, ferocity and knowledge. These warriors are the elite guardians of the Imperium of Mankind, a dystopian galaxy-spanning empire. They function from an aggressive "first contact" shock troop to the very last line of defense from the enemies of the Imperium.
While Space Marines act as the special forces of the Imperium, the bulk of mankind military power is the Imperial Guard, thousands of regiments of billions of normal soldiers from the worlds of the Imperium. While most willingly enlisted out of devotion, some are simple conscripts pressed into service for the endless war. The Imperial Guard field masses of armour and infantry in fearsomely capable armies able to lay siege to worlds or withstand assaults from their sheer size alone.
The setting of this story is the Materium, the real physical universe we inhabit, with all action here in the Milky Way Galaxy. Much of this is controlled by the Imperium of Man, though it is not the only galactic power. Other races include the Orks, a barbaric humanoid green-skinned semi-fungoid race; the Eldar, survivors of an ancient fallen civilization reminiscent of classic fantasy Elves; the Tau, technologically sophisticated aliens that work for a philosophy called the Greater Good; the Necrons, soulless living metal constructs tricked into slavery by god-like energy beings; and the Tyranids, an all-consuming, all-organic, bio-engineered, extragalactic hive-swarm. A dynamic, galaxy-spanning story line is possible because of a separate plane of existence, the Immaterium or "Warp." The Warp is described as a universe composed of desire and emotion, with currents and eddies that make traveling vast interstellar distances possible yet difficult. As this is a realm of thought, a coalescence yields an often-sinister warp entity. The strongest of these entities are the Chaos Gods, Khorne (a god of rage, bloodshed, and war), Nurgle (a god of despair, decay and pestilent disease), Tzeentch (a god of ambition, manipulation, change, deception, scheming, and sorcery) and Slaanesh (a god of pleasure, pain, depravity, pride and decadence). The bulk of the forces of Chaos are corrupted Space Marines with the capability to summon daemons.
The Gods of Chaos are reflections within the immaterial universe of the strongest impulses expressed by the inhabitants of the material universe. Their cults have a dynamic and antagonistic relationship. Khorne opposes Slaanesh, while Nurgle opposes Tzeentch. Nurgle is the personification of stagnation and decay, Tzeentch personifies continual change, Khorne personifies hatred and rage, and Slaanesh personifies the epicurean or the sensual. These four powers are not the only entities in the Warp, but they are the greatest and most powerful. It is said, in the background to Warhammer 40,000, that the nature of the Warp is beyond human comprehension and is truly unknowable.
Armies/races/species
The Warhammer 40,000 game, and consequently the fictional universe, is made up of many races and species. The main playable armies in the game are the Chaos Space Marines, Daemonhunters, Dark Eldar, Eldar, Imperial Guard, Necrons, Orks, Space Marines, Tau Empire, Tyranids and Witch Hunters. Most races have variant armies. For example, Space Marines are divided into "Chapters", which sometimes have unique traits or even their own rules. Players can create "Successor Chapters".
Examples of variant armies include the following (however, this list is not exhaustive):
- Space Marine: Black Templars, Blood Angels, Space Wolves Blood Ravens[7][8]
- Imperial Guard: Armoured Companies, Catachan Jungle Fighters[7][8].
- Tau Empire: Kroot Mercenaries, the fire caste , Farsight Enclave
- Eldar: Iyanden, Saim-Hann, Ulthwé
- Chaos Space Marine: Death Guard, World Eaters, Thousand Sons, etc.
- Orks: Speed Freeks, Feral Orks
- Tyranids: Genestealer Cult
- Dark Eldar: Wych Cults
- Necrons
Notable characters
The Warhammer 40,000 universe and game are made up of many different characters, each important in some way. Some of these characters are more important to the universe and game than others. The list below contains a selection of the figures and characters that have had the greatest impact on the Warhammer 40,000 fictional universe.
- The Emperor of Mankind
- Warmaster Horus
- Abaddon the Despoiler
- Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka
- Eldrad Ulthran
Spin-offs
Warhammer 40,000 has, over the years, inspired many spin-off games. The most popular of these include the miniature-based games Battlefleet Gothic, Epic Armageddon, Inquisitor and Necromunda, all of which have their own website[9] and are available as "Specialist Games" from the Games Workshop catalog[3] (and Gorkamorka a now out of production tabletop game), the Forge World game Aeronautica Imperialis available from their catalog[2], the video games Dawn of War, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Winter Assault, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, Fire Warrior, Chaos Gate, Space Hulk, Space Hulk: Vengeance of the Blood Angels, Final Liberation, Rites of War, upcoming Warhammer 40k Squad command for PSP and NDS from THQ and an upcoming unnamed MMO from THQ and Vigil Games[10]. A wide number of "Warhammer 40,000" novels and background books has been published [11].
Also under active development is an RPG Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay for an early 2008 release.
Origins Awards
At the 1994 Origins International Game Expo, the Academy of Adventure Gaming, Arts and Design awarded the second edition of Warhammer 40,000 the Origins Award for Best Miniatures Rules for 1993.[12] At the 1997 Expo, they gave the award for Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Figure Miniatures Series of 1996 for Jes Goodwin's Warhammer 40,000 Chaos range.[13] At the 2004 Expo, Warhammer 40,000 was inducted into the Academy's Hall of Fame.[14]
See also
- Warhammer Fantasy Battle
- The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game
- Games Workshop Online Community
- Horus Heresy (card game)
- White Dwarf Magazine
- Armies of Warhammer
Notes
- ^ "Games-Workshop Online". Games Workshop. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
- ^ a b "Forge World". Games Workshop. Retrieved 2007-05-29. Cite error: The named reference "Official Forge World Website" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b "Games-Workshop Online Store". Games Workshop. Retrieved 2007-05-29. Cite error: The named reference "Games-Workshop Online Store" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "Forge World Quartermasters Store". Games Workshop. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
- ^ While formally incorrect, Games Workshop use "codexes" as the plural of codex. See, for example, Getting Started with Space Marines – Pt 2: "Lastly, Codexes contain the army's background story that you can find nowhere else."
- ^ Games Workshop Starting Out Store Page
- ^ a b McNeil, Graham (2003). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Witchhunters (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-485-X.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b McNeill, Graham (2003). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Daemonhunters. Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-361-6.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Specialist Games". Games Workshop. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
- ^ "'Warhammer 40,000 MMO Confirmed". Totalgaming.net. 2007-03-01. Retrieved 2007-03-01.
{{cite news}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - ^ "The Black Library". Games Workshop. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
- ^ "1993 - List of winners". www.originsgames.com. Academy of Adventure Gaming, Arts and Design. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
- ^ "1996 - List of winners". www.originsgames.com. Academy of Adventure Gaming, Arts and Design. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
- ^ "2003 - List of winners". www.originsgames.com. Academy of Adventure Gaming, Arts and Design. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
References
- Priestley, Rick (1992). Rogue Trader. Eastwood: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-872372-27-9.
- Priestley, Rick (1998). Warhammer 40,000 (3rd Edition ed.). Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-000-5.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help) - Chambers, Andy (2004). Warhammer 40,000 (4th edition ed.). Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-468-X.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Warhammer 40,000 (1st Mini Edition ed.). Nottingham: Games Workshop. 2004. ISBN 1-84154-511-2.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help)
External links
- Games Workshop Creators of the games Warhammer 40,000
- Forge World Games Workshop's division that creates resin miniatures
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